BAPTIST CHURCH AND HER BELIEFS

THE UNIQUENESS OF A BAPTIST CHURCH

What is so unique about a Baptist Church? The Baptist Church is different from other denominations in many respects; these peculiar characteristics have endeared the denomination to the heart of many while several others are wary of some of these features. This uniqueness is what we call: BAPTIST DISTINCTIVE. The fact that many Baptist are un-Baptistic in their approach to some issues makes this write-up on Baptist distinctive relevant and timely. Moreover that many who were once dissatisfied with one thing or the other in the church and left Church and now returning shows that the denomination despite seemingly imperfections is still relevant in this end-time Revival.

Our History

Our history could be traced to the spiritual revolution started by on a young monk named Martin Luther on October 31, 1517.  Joining Martin Luther in efforts to return Christendom to a historic faith were a group of people who would be called Separatist. These individuals longed to separate themselves from any vestige of Rome. They knew they could never reform the Catholic Church or the newly created Anglican Church of England and so they must separate from both. Out of this separatist movement came the Baptist.

The forerunners of our present day Baptists were the Anabaptists of the Reformation period. Some Anabaptist congregations were settled in Holland in the early 17th century when groups of Puritan Independents, or Congregationalists, fled from England to Holland. Influenced by the Anabaptists, some of these Independents were persuaded that Christian baptism was appropriate only for adults with a personal faith and commitment. Returning to England, this group formed the first Baptist congregation in 1611. Shortly thereafter, Roger Williams formed (1639) the first Baptist congregation in Providence, RI. The Baptists grew rapidly in the United States.

Thomas Jefferson Bowen was used of God to start what we called; the Nigerian Baptist Convention, in 1850. Our denomination, according to official report, has grown into over 10,000 Churches with about 3,000,000 baptized members and up to 6.5 million non-baptized members spread across the nation.

Let us now examine these unique features one after the other.

Biblical Authority

Beginning with the letter “b” the first distinctive is that of Biblical authority. Baptist are committed to the Bible as the ultimate and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. Let other churches use any other Rule of Order if they dare. Let others create in-house bylaws if they must but Baptist will argue that the Bible alone must be final place to appeal faith and practice. Faith in the Bible is well placed. Like the anvil it has stood the test of time.

Autonomy of the Church
The next letter in the word “Baptist” is “a” which stands for the autonomy of the local church. In many denominations there is an ecclesiastical hierarchy. While every denomination is free to organize itself as it believes it is proper Baptist see in Scripture the local church.

Priesthood of Believers

The letter “p” comes next in the word “Baptist” and refers to the priesthood of the believer. During the period of the Old Testament there was a specialized priesthood consisting of Aaron and his descendants. In the New Testament economy every believer is a priest before God with certain rights and privileges. There is a wonderful truth. Any man, woman or child can come into the direct presence of God in a personal way. Consider the grand exhortation of Hebrews 4:16. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Two Church Ordinances:  Baptism and the Lord's Supper

Following the letter “p” is the letter “t” in the word “Baptist and this letter stands for “two ordinances.” (An ordinance is obedience to a command that Christ has given us, Sacraments refers to activities God uses to impart salvation or a means of grace to the participant). The Catholic Church has established seven sacraments but the Baptist tradition recognizes two special ordinances for the church which are believer's baptism and communion. Simply put the term “believer’s baptism” is used because Baptist do not sprinkle or immerse babies because we are not willing to give the sign of salvation to someone who has not been obedient to the gospel command to repent and believe in Christ.

 Individual Soul Liberty

Following the letter which speaks of the two ordnances is the letter “i” in “Baptist”. This letter teaches the individual liberty of the soul. There was a time when the Church would not allow the individual to read the Bible. The word of God was hidden in the Latin language, the language of scholars. But then God put into the heart of men such as William Tyndale and John Wycliffe to translate the Bible into the language of the people. Since they were English they would translate the Bible into the English language so that a ten year old plowboy armed with the Scriptures could know more than the highest church official without them. “Outrageous!” came the cry but the Baptist pressed on and declared that every individual had a right and a responsibility to study the Scriptures and be guided by them in his own conscience.

 
Separation of Church and State
Such independent thinking would lead in time to another argument that even the state should not dictate to the soul what it is to believe and thus for Baptist the letter “s” stands for separation of Church and State. If you read the story of the original colonies you will find that various church denominations either founded or ruled politically the colonies. Men of conscience such as Roger Williams (c. 1603-1683) were cast out of the colonies. Williams in particular was banished during the winter of 1635 from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In the will of God he found his way to some Indians and in time established Rhode Island. The principles of liberty of conscience and separation of church and state were honoured.

Two Church Officers:  Elders and Deacons
Finally, according to Baptist tradition there is the letter “t” in the word “Baptist” which speaks of the two offices of the church, Pastor and Deacon. The two offices the Bible clearly established which we Baptist believe is that of Elder or Pastor and that of Deacon. 1 Timothy 3:1 “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.”  Paul follows this remark with specific qualifications for an Elder and then he says, “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre… etc” (1 Timothy 3:8).  Baptist feel they are on holy and biblical grounds by arguing for the office of Elder and Deacon.

In conclusion, the Baptist Church also has some seemingly imperfections. The Baptist are known as men of the Book and may I say that we know the book and books so much. Our freedom of speech during the Church –in- Conference in some churches was practically a display of how much grammar I can blow irrespective of logicality or otherwise of our position. We speak freely as often as it feels good whether we are permitted by the Holy Spirit or not. More importantly our substitution of Pneumatocracy for Democracy is a weapon we have used to the grieving of the Holy Spirit in some cases. I have seen this in few cases and have grieved. Although, the Baptist Church has some imperfections from the human point of view but if Christ loves his Church, who are we not to love the Church and since Salvation is by grace and denomination is by choice. That you choose to stay in a Baptist Church means that you love the Church. Yes I do, I love being a Baptist. Don’t you?